Let’s face it, many of us are stressed. How do you cram work, self-care, eating well, working out, getting eight hours sleep, and being a sounding board for family and friends into one day? Egad! Many studies have determined that those of us who live in cities experiences a myriad of daily stressors — transit, rising rents, traffic — compared to those who live in rural areas. It’s a good thing that Halifax has many spas and places of relaxation to shed some of that urban stress. Here are three of my favourite spots.

[Photo by Hans Vivek on Unsplash]

The Salt Room [3514 Joseph Howe Drive]

Proponents of halotherapy aka salt therapy aka a salt cave say that a 30-minute session is akin to spending a day at the beach. Not sure that this compares to a day at Crystal Crescent, but my word it’s incredibly relaxing. At The Salt Room, you’ll sit in, yes, you guessed it, a salt cave that is made from thousands of pounds of compacted Dead Sea salt. Aerosol salt is then pumped through the air and all you have to do it sit it total quiet and focus on your breathing. Fun fact: halotherapy is also touted as a homeopathic treatment of respiratory and skin ailments. You’ll emerge, as I did, feeling as if you had a solid nap — it’s worth the $30.

The Summit Day Spa [5495 Spring Garden Road]

Just off the high street that is Spring Garden Road lies the Summit Day Spa that is a balm for these stressful days. Summit Day Spa is more along the lines of what you’d expect from a traditional day spa. Signature treatments include facials, massages, reflexology, manicures and pedicures. However, the SEA facial ($149) is, in a word, heavenly. Wild, organic Canadian seaweeds are combined with ocean mud and sea salt (see, salt again) to create a pampering experience that will leave you relaxed and zen. Trust me; you may have an out-of-body experience during this 80-minute treatment. Also, fellas, if you suffer from bacne (back acne), Summit Day Spa has a dedicated treatment just for that!

[Photo by Isabell Winter on Unsplash]

The Floatation Centre [2631 King Street]

Disclaimer: if you are claustrophobic, this treatment will be more agony-inducing than relaxing. Now, that’s out the way let’s talk about being floating in a personal cocoon. The Flotation Centre, as the name suggests, offers flotation therapy sessions ($65 for 75 minutes) which are an extremely effective means of stress relief and relaxation. Flotation, also known as R.E.S.T (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy), sees you climbing into a sensory deprivation tank filled with enough salt water (ok I won’t repeat it. Nah. See, salt!) to make you buoyant. The outside world and all its stress disappear while you float and after enjoy tea in the lounge to extend your newly-found state of relaxation. Note: The Flotation Centre is an inclusive space that welcomes all bodies, and members of LGBTQ+ communities.